YAKIMA — The trial for a man accused of killing a 25-year-old Native woman has been moved from later this month to February at his lawyer’s request.
The Yakima Herald-Republic reports 29-year-old Jordan Stevens appeared in U.S. District Court in Yakima Wednesday in connection with the death of Alillia “Lala” Minthorn.
Stevens was indicted July 17 following a June 28 criminal complaint charging him with first-degree murder.
Court documents say Minthorn’s body was found May 29 southwest of Yakima, where a witness told investigators she was shot May 3. An autopsy determined Minthorn died of a gunshot wound to the head.
Documents say witnesses told investigators Stevens killed Minthorn because she “ratted” on him about an assault.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is in federal court because Stevens and Minthorn are Yakama Nation citizens and the crime occurred on the Yakama reservation.
